Metal body for automobiles



Dec. Z9, 1942. c, L wATERHoUsE, JR 2,306,416'

METAL BODY FOR AN AUTOMBILE Filed Jan. 17, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet l 23B W Mw g Gttornegs Dec. 2 9, 1942.v c. L.. wATERHoUsE, JR 2,306,416

METAL BODY FOR AN AUTOMOBILE Filed Jan. 17, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 29, 1942. c. L. wA'rERHousE, JR 2,305,416

METAL BODY FOR AN AUTOMOBILE Filed Jan. i7, 1941 8 sheets-sheet s q/ Gttomegs lDec. 29, 1942- c. L. wATERHoUsE, JR 2,306,416

METAL BODY FOR AN AUTOMOBILE va Sheets-sheet 4 Filed Jan. 17, 1941 an l.

if 5+@ 1 /lf 9 n w n 1 m ,j w 2 Zmventor Bg A @41% 5 (Ittornegs c. l.. wArERHousE, .1R 2,306,416

Dec. 29, 1942.

METAL BODY FOR AN AUTOMOBILE Filed Jan. 1'7, 1941 8l SheetS--Sheell 5 Deich* 29, A942. c. L. wATERHousE, JR 2,306,416

METAL BODY FOR AN AUTOMOBILE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 17, `L941 Dec, 29, l942 c. l.. wATERHousE, .1R 2,306,416

METAL BODY FOR AN AUTOMOBILE Filed Jan. i7, 1941 e sheets-snee; fr

M Bnventor Gttornegs l Dec. 29,1942.

C. L. WATERHOUSE. JR

METAL BODY FOR AN AUTOMOBILE Filed Jan. 17,

8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Bnventor attorneys Patented Dec. 29, 1942 ,UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFFicE METAL Bonr ron AUTOMOBILES Charles L. Waterhouse, Jr., Dearborn, Mich., as-

signor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application January 17, 1941, Serial No. 374,796

' 5 Claims. (Cl. 296-28) This invention relates to metal lautomobile bodies.

The body is of the type which is self-sustaining and requires no chassis or underframe to support it. The bottom of the body has box-sectioned constructions formed along the sides thereof to give to the body a self-sustaining rigidity, enabling the elimination of the usual chassis.

The novelty of the construction resides informing the body of a minimum number of metal parts with a view toreducing weight and cost, but at the same time retaining the strength. In reducing the weight of the body, the economy of the engine will be increased because there will be less dead weight to propel, and if a decrease in weight can be obtained with a retention of strength, it will enable the engine better to propel the load overthe highways.

Another object of the invention is to have al1 welding surfaces projecting outwardly, particularly where there are abutting flanges, so that the parts to be welded together are readily and easily accessible to the welding tools.A

Further objects of the invention relate to '1mprovements in various details of construction.

On the drawings Figure 1 is a side view of the novel metal automobile body.

Figure 2 is an elevational detailed View of the cowl and the front frame showing the manner of joining the same.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the spring seat or perch for the coil springs at the rear of the vehicle.

Figure 4 is an inside perspective view of the front part of the vehicle, parts being shown in section better to illustrate the construction.

Figures 5 and 6 are sectional Views on the corresponding lines of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a detailed view of the joint between the front door post, the windshield 'reinforcement, and the brace at the inside of the cowl.

Figure 8 is a detailed view in perspective of the reinforcing member inside the windshield at the front door pillar.

Figures 9, 10, 11, 13, and 14 are sections on the corresponding lines of vFigure 12.

Figure 12 is an enlarged detailed view of the center part of the vehicle. The View of Figure 12 is a continuation of the view of Figure 2.

Figure 15 is a detailed view of the rear of the vehicle and a continuation of the right hand part of Figure 12.

Figures 16 and 17 are sections on sponding lines of Figure 15.

the corre- Figure 18 is an inside perspective view of the rear corner of the vehicle.

Figures 19, 21 and 26 are sections on the corresponding lines of Figure 18.

Figure is a sectional detailed view on the corresponding line of Figure 22.

Figure 22 is a bottom'plan view of halt of the rear end of the underpan.

Figure 23 is a bottom plan view of half of the front of the underpan.

Figure 24 is a section on the corresponding line of Figure 22.

Figure 25 is'an expanded view of the brackets shown in Figure 24.

Referring to the drawings, the body as a whole is indicated at 2. 'I'he vehicle has the hood door i comprises the cowl i8, the roof 20, the rear panel 22, front doors 24, rear doors 26, rear fenders 26,

hinged door or lid in the deck, a windshield 32, and an underpan 34. The roof slopes rearwardly and joins onto the rear panel at the line indicated at 36 and a back window 38 is provided in the roof. `The doors have the usual windows 40 and 42, and the body isprovided with the rear quarter window 44 lin back of the rear door 26. The front seat is indicated at 46 and the rear seat at 48. The rear wheels are shown at 50.

The roof 2U has the front integral projections 5I which extend about halfway down the side of the windshield to form the upper half of a cap piece |10 later to be described. The lower part of the cap piece is formed integral with the cowl top, ormay comprise a separate piece.

Referring to Figure 2, the cowl I6 has the sides 52, the front part of which is formed with a forwardly projecting iiange 54. Openings are for the purpose of attaching the hood side panel 6. The front end of the cowl is closed by a dashboard 56 which is provided with transverse reinforcing ribs 58 and has vertical reinforcing W-shaped irons 60 applied thereto at right angles to the ribs 58 to strengthen the cowl. The lower part of the dashboard 56 is inclined as indicated at 62 to form the toeboard ofthe vehicle. The edge of the dashboard 56 is provided with a ange 64 entirely therearound, and part of this flange mates with the iiange 54 on the cowl and is secured thereto by welding. It is to be noted that the flanges 54 and 64 project outwardly or away from the body to render them readily accessible to the application of welding tools.

"Ihe to'eboard 32 is preferably provided with the ribs. 33 to strengthen the construction.

- The lower flange 64 on the toeboard 32 mates with a -flange 68 formed on the front end of the .its center is formed into a channel the front part of which is indicated at 14, and the rear part at 16. Referring to Figure 4, the forwardmost part of the channel 14 fades out on substantially the intersection ci a, transverse line connecting the front door posts, and between the end of the channel 14 and a raised part 10 of theunderpan under the front seat the iioor does-not have a pronounced channel but is crowned somewhat in order to provide ample space for the propeller shaft.

At the underside of the underpan 34, two U- shaped longitudinal channels 80 are provided, one channel at each side. These channels have laterally extending flanges 82 by means of which they are'welded to the underside of the underpan. lThe channels 80 are positioned a short distance inward from the edge of the underpan, as

is best seen in Figures 4 and 13, and in the corner provided between the channels 30and the underpan a rocker panel 84 is secured to add strength to the construction, to give an exterior appearance. to the car, and to provide a double boxsectioned construction. 'I'he rocker panel has the lower flange 83 secured `such as by the screws 33 to the lower part of the channel 30. A horizontal flange 90 of the rocker panel extends' away from the vehicle and is connected by a rounded I part 92 to a vertical flange 34 which extends upwardly to the edge of the floor bottom 34. Just before it joins onto the fioorboard, the rocker panel 84 is provided with` a rabbet 33 to receive the lower overlap ange of the door. The rocker panel is then inwardly bent as at 33 and is joined to the extreme' edge of the yoor panel at |00 by means of the` screws |02. 'I'he `channels 80 and the rocker 4panels 84 extend from the flange 38, or from rear edge |04 of the front fender, to the upturned flange 220 of the under` l pan. or to the rear edge |03 of the rear fender 23.

The center door posts of the body are indicated at |08 and at the lowerend the overlap part `I I0 fits into' the rabbety 96. Between the posts the underpan is shaped, as shown at 2 in' Figures' 12 and 22, to form a footrest for the passengers y occupying 'the rear seat 48.. The rear side of part I2 is suitably inclined to accommodate itz to the feet ofI the passengers. The forward end ||4of the shaped part I2 is considerably higher than the rear end and projects above the top` of the raised part 18. This part I2 extends entirely across the vehicle and forms a large transverse rib to giveadded transverse strength to the underpan.

At its forward end the channels of the undery pan are provided with connections at ||3 which are substantially the same as the connection shown in Figure 5 of my copending application Serial No,.262,605, Metal body for motor vehicles, led March 18, 1939. This connection joins the front end of the sills or channels 30 to a front No. 262,605) to the frame ||3 and at their upper ends the braces are secured by means of the bolts |21 tothe sides 52 lof the cowl. Inside the cowl and in alignment with the braces |25, U-shaped reinforcing channels |23 are welded to the cowl sides. The bolts ,|21`pass through suitable openings |30 in the channels |28 so that the braces |23 and reinforcing channels |23 are`continuations of each other.

'Referring to Figures 4-8 inclusive, the front door posts |32 at their lower end comprise the inner angle member |34 secured at one side by means of a ange |33 to the inside of the cowl 52 and at its other side secured by means of a flange |33 to the extremity of the inwardly bent flange |40 formed on the end of the cowl. Parts 34 and |43 are secured to the underpan by weld-` ing the flanges |4`| thereto. 'I'his post formation continues up beyond the line |42 to the angle between the windshield and the cowl, and from the line 42 the inside of the post is formed by the sides of the inner windshield panel indicated as a whole atv |44. 'I'his inner windshield panel comprises the lateral post members |43 (Figure 6), the upper transverse windshield header |43, and the lower transverse member |50 comprising the instrument panel. Parts |43, |43 and |53 are formed of a single sheet.- Part |43 is inclined as shown in Figure 4 to conform to the inclined shape of the lwindshield 32 shown in Figure l.

` forcement indicated as a whole at |53.- As is best shown in Figure 7, the front inclined brace'i23 of the cowl is also Joined to the lower post-member 34 of the front door post. This connection is formed by means of the flanges |53 and the connection is made by welding. The post member `|53 extends upwardly beyond the top oi.' the windshield opening and is inwardly turned as indicated at |30 to extend inside the space between the windshield header |43 and forward tip -of theroof 23.

As is best shown in Figure 6, the reinforcement member |53 is united bymeans of an inner nange |32 and an outer ilange |34 to the inner ilange |33 and outer ,flange |33, respectively, of the channel yshaped side of the post part |43 of the The reinforcing tially right angles as indicated at |18 to form with the edge of the cap piece |10 a rain drip trough.

'I'he upper edge of the cowl at the windshield is provided with a flange which mates with a corresponding ilange on the lower part of the inner windshield header, this construction being indicated by the numeral |80 in Figure 4. These two flanges are united by welding. Y

The instrument panel part |50 extends across the vehicle and is provided with the usual openings |82, one at each side, for a glove compartment or the placement of the usual instruments.

Beneath the underpan 34, under the front seat, and below the elevated part 18, a transverse channel reinforcing member |84 is provided. 'I'hls channel member is joined at its side by means of the anges |86 to the lateral reinforcing channels 80, and underneath the floor is united by the lateral flanges |88 to the underside of the underpan. This channel |84 has an arch |90 at its center part to provide clearance for the propeller shaft, the arch |90 forming a continuation of the channels 14 and 16.

In Figures l and 11 there are shown sections through the upper and lower-part of the cen* ter door post |08. These door posts are generally of channel formation and have the inner closure cap pieces |92 the edges of which, where they join onto the channel |08, being provided with longitudinal recesses |94 for the reception of tacking strips. The posts are wider at the bottom than at the top to form continuations of the bulged side of the car in order to give a widened or streamlined appearance.

In Figure 9 there is shown the manner in which the center post |08 is connected to the roof 20. Inside the roof at the edge thereof there is provided a reinforcing and bracing member |96, this member extending from the line of division |98 with the inner windshield panelV to the rear panel 22 as shown by the dotted outline at 200 in Figure 15, and at 200 in Figure 18. The cross-sectional shape of member |96 is shown in Figure 9. It is secured at its edge to an outwardly bent flange 202 at the roof edge. The

member |96 has its outer end upturned as indicated at 204 to form a rain drip trough, this member 204 being a continuation of the rain drip trough member |18 of Figure 6. The bottom of the member |96 is stepped as indicated at 206 and the upper part of the post |08 is likewise stepped to conform to the step 206. The post is splayed at its upper part as shown at 208 in Figure l2, and this splayed part terminates in the flanges 2|0 which are united to the underside ofv the stepped part 206. The post has the outwardly ,shown at 216 in Figures 4, 14, and 18.

The interrelation of the upper part of the doors 24 or 26 withthe roof is shown in Figure 14. The stepped part 206 forms a rabbet for the reception of the overlap flange of the top of the door.

Referring to Figures 18 and 22, the rear end of the underpan is shown. 'I'he underpan is upwardlderpan construction is shown.

3 ly bent at-220underneath the rear seat 48 and the rear part 222 of the underpan is formed separately but joined by welding to the front part at the mating flanges 224. Beyond the flanges 224 the rearpart of the underpan has an upwardly directed channel 226 to form a clearance for the rear axle and differential, and at the rear llat part of the underpan there is formed an opening 228 for the reception of a gasoline tank and a second opening for the reception of a tub or pan 230 to forma well in which the spare tire is mounted. This tub or well 230 has the peripheral flange 232 (Figure 21) by means of which it is mounted to the edge of the opening in the rear part 222 of the underpan.

On the inside of the vehicle at the place where the underpan 34 joins onto the rear wheel housing 234 areinforcing channel 236 is provided. 'I'his channel 236 extends from slightly above the place where the channels and robker panel 84` terminate to the rear tip of the vehicle as shown at 231. These channels have laterally extending flanges 240 which are welded to lthe wheelhouses 234. The channels are welded at their lower edges to the underpan. The chan- .nels 236 are interrupted at the edge of the upwardly directed channel 236 formed inthe underpan to allowclearance for the rear axle.

The wheel housings are provided with suitable reinforcing ribs 242 to strengthen the' construction. The wheel housings 234 form continuations of the rear panel 22 and are formed therewithr in a single stamping. The wheel housings are provided with suitably shaped surfaces 244 provided with bolt openings 246 on which the surfaces 244 and the flanged edge of the rear fenders 28 are received and secured.

Immediately ln front of the joint 224 of the underpan a transverse reinforcing member and seat support 248 is provided. This support 248 is rounded at its sides as indicated at 250 and secured to the rear door posts. The member 248 is provided with the lower flange 252 which is welded to the lloorboard and at its upper edge with a flange 256 which is directed to the rear of the vehiclev and adds strength to the construction. Suitable reinforcing and bracing members 258 extend between the vflange 256 and the upturned part 220 at the rear part of the underpan 34.

Preferably W-shaped reinforcing members 260 are provided at suitable places along the length Iand width of the underpan to strengthen it.

These w-shaped members have lateralanges which are welded to the underside of the underpan. v

In Figure 20 the extreme rear end of the un- A transverse rocker panel 262 and an inner vertical plate 264 are provided. The plate 264 has the upper flange 266 Welded to the underside of the underpan and the lower panel is provided with a :flange 268 welded to the lower edge of the plate 264. The upper edge of the rocker panel 262 has a flange 210 secured to the underside of the underpan and adjacent the ilange 210 a recess 212 is formed in the rocker panel. This recess is for the purpose of receiving a rubber or fabric isealing strip to form a weathertight-ccnnection for the rear deck door 30. 1

Referring to Figures 12, 18, 19, and 26, .the structure of the rear door post is shown. At the rear quarter window the door post comprises the outer angle member 214 and the inner angle member 216 which are assembled as shown in Figure 26 to form a box-sectioned construction.

The usual rabbet 218 is provided lto forma recess for the overlap flange of the door andthe parts are united by welding atthe overlapping flanges as shown at 288 andl 2 82, the flanges-being exterior to aid easy welding. The outeror cap part 218 ofthe rear post is a` continuationI or a part ofthe outer frame member 284 which extends entirely around the rear quarter .windowv 44. Part24 i's formedin one piece 'andthe line 2'88 in-Fig'ure 15, which appears to be a; Joint, is but an outwardly projecting p art at the lower side of the piece 284. Below the rear quarter window the shape of the post is best sho'wn ln'Figure 19 and comprises a channel.' shaped part 288 formed at th'e front edge of the wheelhousing 234, and an inner filler piece 298, theparts 288 'and v288 forming a box-sectioned construction. Part 238 232 which is secured to the-flange 258 onv the reinforcing member 258. The upper inner member 218 and the .lower innermember 288 vare united at the overlap as indicated at 284 in Figure 18.

forcing member 328 is a continuation of the mem-- ber 328 and extends upwardly to the-,shelf 312 vand issecured to the'flange 328. The member 328 has the edge flange 338 abutting against the inside of the rear quarter panel 2'2 and spaced `therefrom by a strip of anti-squeak material. At

' .its lower'edge the member 328 is welded tothe is united tothe Wheelhouse side 234 and to the reinforcing member 328 and to the Wheelhouse. If desired, parts 328 and 328 may be made in one Referring to Figure 22, the center part of the underpan is additionally reinforced at its sides by having welded thereto the channel members 338. These channels 338 are alsosecured at their front ends to the transverse channel shaped part H2 and the transverse brace |84. At the rear ends of the reinforcing channels 338brackets'348 Referring to AFigure 16, the structure at the lower side ofthe rear quarter window is shown. The frame member 284 has a lower inturned flange 298 which mates with an inwardly turned flange 288 on the top of the rear quarter panel 22, the parts being secured Vby welding. Part 284 has an upwardly directed flange 388 at its upperv edge which mates with a corresponding flange 382 on an inner channel member 384. 'I'he channel 384 has a lower flange 388 mating with a flange 388 downwardly turnedl from the flange 382. A11 of the fiangesare united by welding to form-the box-sectioned construction shown in Figure 16.

Referring to Figures 15 and 17, the manner in which the top 28 is secured to the rear quarter panel 22 is shown. The top has the edge ange 318 which mates with the flange '288 on the rear (Figures 24 and 25) are secured. Each bracket' .348 has the front channel formation 342 which presses over the channel 338 and is secured thereto by welding. The rear part 344 is much deeper and extends downwardly a considerable distance belowv the channel 338 andis provided with an opening' 348 which is for the purpose of the re ception of a suitable pin or bolt which mounts one of the brace rods or radius rods for they rear coil spring suspension of `the vehicle. The upstanding part 228 of the underpan has secured r thereto at its outside a'bracket 348, this bracket extending downwardly through an opening in the iloor immediately above the bracket 348. The

- bracket 348 Vhas a projection 358 which ilts into a mouth of the bracket 348 reinforced by the flared flanges 352 on the rear end of the'bracket .348.' Parts 348 and 358 are secured together by weldingor by bolting in any suitable way and serve toreinforce each other.

0n the underside of the underpan and at the quarter panel and the two flanges are united by welding. v f

A package tray 312 extends transversely of the vrear part of the vehicle. lateral downwardly extending inclined edge part 3l4 which terminates in flange 3I8 matir 1'g with the flange 388 'on the edge yof the rear quarter panel 22. The `flanges 388, 3I8.a're united by welding. If desired, the packagetray may be provided with suitable openingsl 3 I8 to lighten the construction. 'I'he rear edge'of the tray 3|8 is lsecured to the window frame member 328 of the rear window 38.v 'I'his window vframe mem-l ber is provided with theedge flange 322 ,which is united by welding to an edge flange around the rearkwindow opening 38.v l V The shelf 3|2 is supported transversely flange 325`on the` shelf tothe raised part orchannel 228 ofthe underpan. A-v'I'he braces are secured :to thenl abutting 'parts by welding.V The braces 3 24 A also form asupport for the seatYA backA ofthe rear seat.

To reinforce theconstruction atthe top of the channell228, the inner reinforcing members 328 fand 328 areprovided. Y The member 328is angle in crcs's section and has an edge flange A33,8, by means of which it is secured to the wheelhouse-234, andbottom flanges 2 32 by means of This tray has the ..50

ed coil spring seats or perches 354 (Figures 3 and 22)., Thesperches have the nat base part 358 provided with a downwardly projecting cone 358 over which the coil spring is received. The base 358 itson the nat bottom of the channel 228. The inner edge of the seat, 354 has thedownwardly extending flange 388, the edges 382 of which 1 conform to the shape ofthe inclined sides of the channel. 228 and` are securedlthereto by means of ythe edge flanges 384. A ange 388 at the yend of the side 388 serves to strengthen the construction. yThe sides of the base 358 are provided'with-the Aedge flanges 381 which are secured to the-inclined sides of the channel 228. An outfer flange388 on the outside yedgev of the perch serves to strengthen the construction. The positioningv of thel springseats 354 at the ends of the channel 228 strengthen the underpan at these points .and compensate for the interruption or' break in the reinforcing channel-238. At'the extreme 'rear corner of' the underpan,

-brackets 3'18fare secured to the'underside thereof,

' theseibrackets serving as a means to mount the u nderpan,v a raised section'of the pan under the rear bumpers. I'hebrackets 318are preferably channelshaped and have edge flanges secured to the bottom of the underpan.

'Iclaim: l l

1. I n ametal automobile body, an underpan.'

a boxfs'ectional construction at each side of the front 'seat of the body, a transverse brace under and abutting the pan at the raised part, said Cil joining the panel at substantially the belt line .f

of the vehicle, said panel and roof having a window opening therebetween, inner and outer rails at the lower edge of the window opening,

said rails being united to the panel edge and to e each other to form a box-sectioned construction.

3. In a metal automobile body, a rear panel vextending from the rear door to the deck, a roof,I

window opening having a flange secured to the flange of the panel, said rails being secured to each other to form a box-sectioned construction. 4; In a metal automobile body, an underpan extending substantially the length of the automobile, a channel formed in the rear part of said underpan to accommodate the rear axle and differential of the automobile, two wheel housings, `one housing at each side of the chan-l nel and .secured thereto, a channel secured to the wheel house and the underpan to form a box-sectioned reinforcing construction, two side panels, one panel at each side of the vehicle above the wheel housing and being secured thereto, two reinforcing members inside the body, one member at each side of the vehicle, said members being positioned `on the channel and against the wheel housing and secured to both, and a second reinforcing member secured to the iirst member and to the wheel housing and panel.

5. In a metal automobile body, an underpan, channel reinforcing members secured under the pan and extending longitudinally thereof, an upwardly extending seat support formed in the pan, reinforcing brackets secured to the seat support in substantial alignment with the channels, projections Afrom the brackets, a mounting bracket extending from the channels to the reinforcing brackets and secured -to both, said mounting brackets having a downwardly extending part extending below the underpan and serving tomountv the radius arms for the rear spring suspension.

I CHARLES L. WATERHOUSE, JR. 

